EVs + Solar: A Perfect Match

Electric vehicles in
the form of battery plug-ins and plug-in hybrids are being adopted and deployed
at an undeniable quickening pace. The Department of Energy tweeted this image in July of last year that graphs the
cumulative sales of EVs versus hybrids. Considering that hybrid vehicles are already
a mainstay of automobiles driven today, this comparison is telling. With
automakers ambitiously releasing more cars with plugs aimed at all levels of
consumers, zero emission deployment goals set by governments, and infrastructure
build out on the rise, it is a foregone conclusion that more electric vehicles
are on the way.

Driving on
electricity creates many opportunities for lowering emissions and saving on transportation
costs. Charging in even some of the most worst grid conditions in the United
States, where coal is a heavy part of the generation mix, generates less carbon
emissions for the same amount of travel than would be required by fossil fuels.
A great article by Green Car Reports dispelled much of the “dirty EV” myth, citing
several reliable scientific studies. Less carbon in the air is good. Marrying
both solar photovoltaics (PV) and EVs is even better. Driving on solar empowers
drivers to commute generating zero emissions while eliminating their cars’ reliance
on fossil fuels, coal, and natural gas.

A recent survey on the ownership of EVs and
solar panels on the popular
site Cleantechnica concluded that solar can often be a gateway to EV ownership.
While this can certainly be true, the reversal also has merit. Ford, Honda,
Nissan, and Tesla each have partnership relationships with solar installer
networks to facilitate new PV installations for the home. EV drivers have good
reason to consider solar energy and automakers realizing this want to
capitalize on the opportunity to increase the value proposition of their
offering.

Both solar and EVs
face many of the same challenges when being introduced to new consumers. While
distributed solar has been around for decades, new ways to afford these systems
have brought these well-packaged arrays, and the companies that provide them,
into the mainstream. EVs similarly are climbing into acceptance with brand name
marque association and a broad consumer appeal pushing internal combustion
flagship car models into the background.

This momentum of
electric vehicle adoption and increasing attractiveness of solar energy creates
an opportunity to conquer the challenge of education and provide an
introduction and association to the respective technologies. When a person buys
solar for their home, there is an increased likelihood that their next car will
have a plug. What can we do to clue them in on their new car options? When a
person buys an EV, they quickly start thinking in terms of kilowatt-hours. How
can we better let them know how solar can offset their homes’ new energy
demand? By closing this gap we can make the best use of both technologies,
leveraging both to take full advantage of their zero emission potential.

It may be inevitable
that a solar array becomes another one of the choices on an options list when
buying a new car. Ford’s My Energi Lifestyle is a peak into where some of the product offerings
and car buying strategy may be headed. Taking a whole house perspective, Ford’s
program combines solar, a plug-in hybrid car and offers energy saving efficient
appliances, further shrinking the carbon footprint and energy demand of the
home.

The association of
solar and electric vehicles is only to likely increase in the future with
battery and smart-grid technology progress. The battery capacity in the cars is
an underutilized resource that has big potential for vehicle-to-grid utilization.
Projects underway in Japan or as near as California have pilots with Nissan
Leafs providing frequency regulation and building battery backup. Smart-grid and connected EVs can one day
provide a solution to balance renewables on the grid in addition to providing
greater resilience for homeowners during outages. With major electrical grid
outages like the one caused by hurricane Sandy still fresh in many memories,
grid stability and a solution to provide it is a national priority.

While dealing with
any technology, there is often the urge to hesitate, when considering a
purchase, with the expectation that a new better derivation will be available before
long. There are great solar panels, inverters, electric vehicles, and charging
solutions available right now. Choosing either clean technology or pairing solar
with an EV can give the satisfaction that you are making a smart contribution
to cleaner air and a healthier tomorrow.